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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Vanilla Ricotta Dessert

    Vanilla Ricotta Dessert

    Last updated: Mar 31, 2022 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    This easy ricotta dessert is made with just three ingredients. You can quickly whip it by hand or use the food processor.

    Depending on the sweetener you use, it can be low-carb and keto too. And it keeps well in the fridge for several days.

    Ricotta dessert served in small glass cups with spoons.

    I have a pretty wild sweet tooth. Apart from trying to fight it, I have developed an arsenal of truly easy recipes that can calm it down without causing too much damage. 😂

    This tasty ricotta dessert is one of these recipes. It's cool and creamy and nicely flavored with vanilla and honey. It's like eating the filling of a no-bake cheesecake! Wonderful by itself, it's even better when topped with fresh berries.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty dessert. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    Ricotta cheese: You should definitely use whole-milk cheese in this recipe. Reduced-fat ricotta isn't very good in my opinion, in terms of flavor and texture.

    Sweetener: You can use honey, stevia, or a powdered sugar-free sweetener. For the best texture, use a powdered sweetener and not a granulated one - see the discussion below.

    Vanilla extract: Try to use the real thing - pure vanilla extract - and not the artificially flavored stuff.

    Instructions

    Making this ricotta dessert is so easy! Simply process the three ingredients in your food processor for about two minutes, then chill the mixture for an hour before serving.

    The result is so tasty and creamy! It's difficult to believe that so little work is required to produce such lovely results.

    A photo collage showing the steps for making a ricotta dessert.

    Expert tip

    I highly recommend making this dessert ahead of time. Spending a few hours in the fridge will allow the flavors to meld and the texture will also improve and become creamier. Give it another stir before serving.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I mix this dessert by hand?

    Yes. You can mix it by hand using a hand whisk as I do in the video, but it won’t be as smooth. The ricotta will remain a bit grainy.

    Can I use low-fat ricotta?

    I don't recommend it. I experimented with using low-fat ricotta and it just wasn't as good. It was too grainy and not creamy enough. So do stick with whole milk ricotta.

    Can I make a low-carb version?

    Yes - simply use a sugar-free sweetener. It's best to use stevia (as I do in the video below) or a powdered sweetener. Its fine texture will ensure that the creamy dessert is nice and smooth.

    If you use a granulated (not powdered) sweetener, the granules will affect the texture, and not in a good way.

    Variations

    The best way to vary this recipe is to use different flavor extracts. I almost always use vanilla, but if you like coconut, you can use coconut extract instead.

    Lemon extract is another tasty option, and you can also mix a pinch of finely grated lemon zest into the dessert.

    Serving suggestions

    This creamy dessert is excellent all on its own. I like to serve it in pretty dessert glasses.

    It's also wonderful when topped with fresh berries, blueberry compote, chocolate whipped cream, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate and some chopped nuts.

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep this dessert in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to four days. Give it a good stir before serving it.

    This is one of those recipes where the leftovers actually taste great - even better than the freshly prepared recipe.

    Ricotta dessert served in small cups with spoons.

    Related recipes

    • Crustless Ricotta Cheesecake
    • Keto Ricotta Pancakes
    • Homemade Frozen Yogurt
    • Avocado Chocolate Mousse

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe card

    Ricotta Dessert.
    4.99 from 843 votes
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    Vanilla Ricotta Dessert

    A three-ingredient ricotta dessert that you quickly blend by hand or in your food processor.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Rest time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 10 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 142kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (half of a 15 oz container)
    • 2 tablespoons honey or a sugar-free sweetener (see note)
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Place the ingredients in your food processor bowl.
    • Process until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
    • Refrigerate for one hour before serving.
    • Serve in small, ⅓-cup dessert bowls or ramekins.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    You can use stevia or a sugar-free powdered sweetener. A granulated sweetener will be too grainy. The low-carb version has 108 calories and 2 grams of carbs per serving.
    You can whisk the dessert by hand as I do in the video, but keep in mind that it won’t be as smooth as when using a food processor. The ricotta will remain a bit grainy.
    Coconut extract or lemon extract are tasty alternatives to vanilla extract.

    ADD YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.
    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 52mg | Sugar: 9g
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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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